Is my drinking water safe?
Yes, our water meets all of EPA’s health standards. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the employees of the K. Thomas Hutchinson Water Treatment Plant, our water meets or exceeds all state and federal requirements for drinking water.
Where is the source of my water?
The high quality and quantity surface water source is located at the 0.75 mile marker of East Fork of the Stones River (J. Percy Priest Lake). Our goal is to protect our water from contaminants and we are working with the State to determine the vulnerability of our water supply to contamination. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has prepared a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) Report for the water supply serving Consolidated Utility District (CUD). The SWAP Report assesses the susceptibility of public water supplies to potential contamination. Water sources have been rated as reasonably susceptible, moderately susceptible or slightly susceptible based on geologic factors and human activities in the vicinity of the water source. The CUD source is rated moderately susceptible to potential contamination.*
Why are there contaminants in my water?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Community water systems are required to disclose the detection of contaminants; however, bottled water companies are not required to comply with this regulation. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Is our water system meeting other rules that govern our operations?
The State and EPA require us to test and report on our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We have met all of these requirements. Results of unregulated contaminant analysis are available upon request. We want you to know that we pay attention to all the rules.
Regulations:
Water is considered the universal solvent and can be affected by anything that it contacts. As the body of knowledge grows about the world around us, new regulations and techniques to gauge and guard water purity are inevitable. Consolidated Utility District has and shall meet all regulations set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Do I Need To Take Special Precautions?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about personal sanitation, food preparation, handling infants and pets, personal lifestyle, bottled and tap drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Lead in Drinking Water:
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Consolidated Utility District is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead
Contaminants that may be present in source water:
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Trihalomethanes:
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and MAY have an increased risk of getting cancer, although this has NOT been proven by any means.
Customer Complaints:
Any customer or potential customer of CUD shall have the right to voice a complaint and shall receive courteous consideration. If a customer is dissatisfied with a decision of District employees, staff and/or management, the customer may appeal to CUD’s Board of Commissioners at the regular scheduled monthly board meeting. The Commissioners of Consolidated Utility District serve four year terms. Vacancies on the Board of Commissioners are filled by appointment by the Rutherford County Mayor from a list of three nominees certified by the Board of Commissioners to the Rutherford County Mayor to fill a vacancy. Decisions by the Board of Commissioners on customer complaints brought before the Board of Commissioners under the District's customer complaint policy may be reviewed by the Utility Management Review Board of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation pursuant to Section 7-82-702(7) of Tennessee Code Annotated.
Other Information:
CUD receives no tax revenue from City, State or Federal governments, but relies solely upon our rates and fees for operational funding.
CUD reads every water meter and bills each customer every month. In the event of an abnormally high meter reading, we will attempt to alert the customer. Payment may be made at our drive-up window, payment counter, by mail, by bank draft, personal check or debit/credit card via phone, online at www.cudrc.com or by night deposit.
Water System Security:
Following the events of September 2001, customers may be concerned about the security of their drinking water. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities at any utility facilities, including treatment plants, tanks, fire hydrants, etc. to 615-893-7225.
How can I get involved?
Our Water Board meets at 1:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the utility office located at 709 New Salem Highway. Please feel welcome to attend.
If you have any questions about this report or treatment/testing procedures, contact Chris Forte (Treatment Plant Manager) at 615-895-4296.
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
- Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses.
- Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
- Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.